How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn • Hacker News Board

How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#1

Post by thenomad » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 3:33 PM UTC

How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn
guerillashowrunner.com

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#2

Post by radioactive21 » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 4:51 PM UTC

I am pretty sure Porn as an advantage in one aspect. People went out of their way to seek it.

In a aroused state, it wouldn't matter what you're watching, it could be someone just running a hand over their other hand and you'll get viewers, it's just enough to get off on.

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#3

Post by thenomad » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 4:53 PM UTC

radioactive21 wrote: post #2

I am pretty sure Porn as an advantage in one aspect. People went out of their way to seek it. In a aroused state, it wouldn't matter what you're watching, it could be someone just running a hand over their other hand and you'll get viewers, it's just enough to get off on.

Ah, but these days, as a porn site you've got to compete with thousands of others.

It's not "will the audience look for porn", it's "Why will they choose your porn over someone else's?"

(Likewise, it's not "Will the audience look for an action-adventure show", it's "Why should the audience choose YOUR action-adventure show?")

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#4

Post by AlexC04 » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 5:08 PM UTC

I've never heard of Guerilla Show Runner before - but really like the site. Thanks to whoever posted this. I've picked up the RSS feed.

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#5

Post by CoffeeDregs » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 5:29 PM UTC

This is a bit harsh, but, based on the author's site design and the design of his other sites, I'm not sure why we should take the author seriously.

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#6

Post by TheSOB88 » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 5:37 PM UTC

CoffeeDregs wrote: post #5

This is a bit harsh, but, based on the author's site design and the design of his other sites, I'm not sure why we should take the author seriously.

Because he's reviewing another site, he calls himself a moron in light of the lessons he learned from it, and the ideas make sense.

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#7

Post by thenomad » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 5:38 PM UTC

CoffeeDregs wrote: post #5

This is a bit harsh, but, based on the author's site design and the design of his other sites, I'm not sure why we should take the author seriously.

That's completely reasonable. I'm not a professional designer by any means.

I'd say that the primary test should be how much sense the points in the article make to you.

Having said that, if you want some proof of authority, I have a fair track record in Web shows - I founded Machinima.com, was the exec producer on BloodSpell and Kamikaze Cookery, have produced Machinima work for the BBC, EA, etca, and generally have been doing it professionally for 13 years. I ain't Jakob Neilsen, but I know one end of selling a web show from the other.

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#8

Post by kingsidharth » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 5:56 PM UTC

CoffeeDregs wrote: post #5

This is a bit harsh, but, based on the author's site design and the design of his other sites, I'm not sure why we should take the author seriously.

What's wrong with his site, again?

It was more distraction free and readable than, say, Mashable and they pay lot sum to designers. It wasn't decorated but it was well designed.

Edit: Formatting

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#9

Post by Vlasta » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 6:32 PM UTC

After reading the article, I am not convinced, we should copy the techniques employed by porn sites when building all "ordinary" sites. On a porn site, the content variability is low - it is easy to pick one video, promote it, and it would probably satisfy all viewers to some degree. On a normal site, each user wants something else and pushing one video may annoy 90% of viewers, because it is not what they are looking for. On a less emotional and more informative site, you have to be less pushy.

Re: How to draw viewers into Web Video - lessons from porn

#10

Post by peng » Fri, Feb 25, 2011, 6:50 PM UTC

kingsidharth wrote: post #8

CoffeeDregs wrote: post #5

This is a bit harsh, but, based on the author's site design and the design of his other sites, I'm not sure why we should take the author seriously.

What's wrong with his site, again? It was more distraction free and readable than, say, Mashable and they pay lot sum to designers. It wasn't decorated but it was well designed. Edit: Formatting

This the site he designed: http://www.kamikazecookery.com/

The blog that's linked uses a popular Wordpress theme.